Thursday, 14th November 2024

SKN: Opposition questions government's decision to install traffic lights worth $6M

St Kitts and Nevis's government has moved forward with 6 million dollars for new traffic lights across the country.

Friday, 26th March 2021

St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party leader Dr Denzil L. Douglas
Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: St Kitts and Nevis' government has moved forward with 6 million dollars for new traffic lights across the country. The opposition party, St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party have questioned this million-dollar installation, stating that government should work for the welfare of people suffering from the pandemic.  St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party, on its official Facebook page, questioned the purpose of traffic lights in close proximity to each other and stated that the financial status of the country has been in question for some time. Also Read: St Kitts and Nevis government provided $3 million support to fisheries in pandemic Talking about the cabinet discussions on 22 March 2021, St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party stated that the entire day was wasted over the issue of "traffic lights" while significant issues like dysfunctional x-ray machines at the general hospital were cornered. "Six million dollars have been spent on the second phase of traffic lights positioned throughout our small little town in a way that if you drive for less than one minute, you are at another stoplight," added St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. Also Read: St Kitts and Nevis vaccinates 20% of target population in 3 weeks SKNLP alleged that there were no consultations with the businesses within the area on how the traffic lights' structure will affect the daily management of their business prior to beginning this second phase. The opposition added that while the government is engaged in announcing 6 million dollars for traffic lights, the general hospitals are forced to get x-ray machines on lease from private players "Patients are being transported all over town to various private radiologists to be examined; healthcare should always be a priority," added SKNLP. Also Read: St Kitts and Nevis receives 20,000 Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine doses from India Furthermore, the opposition stated that patients do not even have the luxury of having a pillow because bedding materials are being rationed at the general hospitals.  Besides this, SKNLP stated that the government's stimulus package provided assistance on the basis of their political affiliations and numerous people were refused aid following their political beliefs.